Israel Intensifies Airstrikes in Gaza, Claiming 89 Lives in 24 Hours

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have escalated dramatically, resulting in the deaths of at least 89 Palestinians within a 24-hour period. Among those casualties were at least 15 individuals who were waiting in line for food. This surge in attacks follows the approval by Benjamin Netanyahu‘s security cabinet to expand military operations in the region.

As global condemnation grows, including outrage over the deaths of six journalists in Gaza the previous day, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that airstrikes on Gaza City intensified significantly over the past three days. Foreign ministers from 24 countries, including Britain, Australia, France, Spain, and Japan, have expressed grave concerns, stating that “humanitarian suffering in Gaza has reached unimaginable levels.” They urged the Israeli government to allow immediate aid shipments and permit humanitarian organizations to operate freely in the territory.

The situation on the ground is dire. Fares Awad, head of ambulance services in northern Gaza, confirmed that more than 15 people died at the Zikim crossing while waiting for food distribution. In the southern region, an Israeli airstrike targeted a house in Khan Younis, killing five people, including a couple and their child. Additionally, four casualties were reported from a strike on a tent encampment in nearby Mawasi.

Residents described the bombardment as the heaviest in weeks. “It sounded like the war was restarting,” said Amr Salah, a 25-year-old local. “Tanks fired shells at houses, and several houses were hit.” The civil defense agency spokesperson, Mahmud Bassal, indicated that residential neighborhoods in Zeitoun and Sabra faced severe airstrikes targeting civilian homes, including high-rise buildings.

In a troubling development, the total number of hunger-related deaths in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has reached 227, with 103 children among the deceased. Nasser Medical Complex confirmed the death of a six-year-old boy from hunger-related illness in Khan Younis, while doctors reported the death of a 30-year-old man due to malnutrition.

Criticism of Israel’s military actions has intensified, particularly surrounding the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The Israeli military stated it is investigating reports of civilian casualties, asserting that its forces take precautions to minimize harm to non-combatants. Nonetheless, the UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in besieged Gaza.

In a press conference on Sunday, Netanyahu labeled claims of a “starvation policy” as “completely false.” He acknowledged the existence of hunger in Gaza but attributed the problems to the food distribution system managed by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

The recent airstrikes also drew attention due to the deaths of prominent journalists, including Anas al-Sharif of Al Jazeera, who was killed alongside four colleagues. The Hind Rajab Foundation and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights announced plans to file a joint complaint with the International Criminal Court regarding these deaths. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed that Sharif was linked to Hamas and responsible for rocket attacks against Israel, a claim that has been dismissed as baseless by both Al Jazeera and Sharif’s supporters.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the killings of journalists and called for an independent investigation. The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed horror at the ongoing violence against journalists, stating, “I am horrified by the killing of another five journalists in Gaza City. Since the war began, more than 200 Palestinian journalists have been reported killed in total impunity.”

The ongoing conflict, now 22 months old, has resulted in the deaths of 61,599 Palestinians and injuries to 154,088 since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry. As the international community continues to react to these events, the call for urgent humanitarian relief remains critical.